Photo credit: Michael Loveder

Ormesby will enter 2025 ahead in the race to the SBCL Premier Division crown thanks to a brilliant series of performances in the first half of the season. With five rounds complete the Cleveland-based side sit atop the six team league and well on their way to going one better than last season’s second placed finish. Their unbeaten start to the season continued with a 5-2 win over Fusion last Saturday (14th December).

Current champions Brighton have slipped up only once, crucially to their title hopes it came against Ormesby. They return in January with a fixture against North Ayrshire, surely confident of producing another win as they aim to keep up the pressure on the north-east side.

In David Andersson they have a leading talent, the only player to have picked up two player of the match awards so far, who will be crucial should they claim back-to-back championships. Ormesby’s Ben Piggott has matched the Swede for victories, picking up seven from eight this campaign.

Should both teams maintain their run of form the reverse fixture could prove crucial. It will bring the curtain down on the season on 17th May. 

There is, however, plenty to look forward to before then.

Fusion, North Ayrshire and Drumchapel Glasgow all have one win to build on, and should they be able to string together a series of victories a place in the top three is not beyond any of them. 

North Ayrshire’s Viktor Gorman is unbeaten in 6 matches, Fusion father-son duo Lorestas and Larry Trumpauskas have been on form and Aaron McKibbin (pictured) has picked up a player of the match award for Drumchapel Glasgow.

BATTS sit alone in third place, losing out to Ormesby and Brighton in the early rounds. They will have their eyes on rounds eight and nine when they are due to face them once again. To secure third spot, or perhaps challenge for the title itself, they will need to produce a win in at least one of those fixtures.

This season all matches are being streamed live on each home side’s YouTube channel. You can catch-up on most ties by visiting the respective channel and searching for the game.

Results, Round Five

Ormesby 5-2 Fusion

BATTS 2-5 Brighton

Drumchapel Glasgow 5-2 North Ayrshire